Tinubu’s Türkiye Visit Opens New Trade Windows, Boosts Security Ties — TDF
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Tinubu’s Türkiye Visit Opens New Trade Windows, Boosts Security Ties — TDF
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Democratic Front (TDF) has expressed optimism that the colourful state reception accorded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the government and people of Türkiye will translate into expanded trade opportunities capable of improving the balance of trade between both countries.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group noted that Nigeria’s trade relationship with Türkiye currently favours the Euro-Asian nation, with trade volume put at about $2bn.
TDF said it had long been concerned that the existing trade balance did not favour Nigeria, despite the country’s vast economic potential and abundant natural endowments.
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“We have always been disturbed that the trade balance between both countries has not favoured Nigeria, despite the country’s advantages in economic potential and natural endowments,” the statement read.
However, the group expressed confidence that President Tinubu’s business-driven approach to governance would reposition Nigeria to benefit more from the relationship.
“We are hopeful that President Bola Tinubu’s business approach to statecraft will foster trade partnerships between Nigeria and Türkiye, which will boost Nigeria’s exports to the Euro-Asian country,” it stated.
TDF further described the President’s visit as another mark of growing international recognition for Nigeria, driven by ongoing economic reforms.
“In our opinion, the President’s visit to Türkiye has opened a new vista in the flurry of global recognition and prestige which his ongoing economic reforms have attracted to Nigeria. We envisage that the country will leverage this unique opportunity to take economic advantage of the new target of bilateral trade volume of $5bn,” the group said.
On security, TDF welcomed the agreement reached by both countries, describing it as timely and strategic.
“It is also gratifying to note that by signing a security pact with his Turkish counterpart during the visit, President Tinubu has made good the promise he made in the wake of the Nigeria–US security cooperation against insurgency in December 2025, that his administration will continue to seek defence and security partnerships to eliminate terrorists and bandits in the country,” the statement added.
The group said the commitment by both leaders to deploy resources against terrorism in Nigeria and the Sahel region would strengthen ongoing security efforts and enhance Nigeria’s defence capacity.
Recalling that military and trade relations between Nigeria and Türkiye date back to the Ottoman era, TDF expressed belief that Türkiye’s involvement in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign would yield positive results.
“We believe that its involvement in Nigeria’s current war against insurgency will bring more successes to President Tinubu’s counter-terrorism efforts and further consolidate national security,” it said.
TDF added that the strengthened security partnership would increase pressure on terrorist groups and bandits operating within the country, while also helping to address what it described as negative religious labelling of insecurity in Nigeria by the United States President, Donald Trump.
